Significance and Use

The test method described herein measures the ability of the exterior wall covering material or system to resist fire penetration from the exterior to the unexposed side of the wall assembly under the specified conditions of exposure.

Representative joints and other characteristics of an assembly shall be included in a test specimen when these details are representative of the construction of the end-use product(s).

This test method is applicable to end-use product(s) not having an ideally planar external surface.

The overall performance of the test specimen is visually documented by full-color photographic records. Video taping of the complete fire test is an acceptable alternative to the photographic record. The use of infrared photography of the unexposed side of the test wall can be used to reveal development of increasing temperatures or persisting hot spots.

In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to a specific set of laboratory fire test exposure conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the anticipated end-use conditions are changed, it is not known whether it is possible by use of this test to predict changes in the performance characteristics measured. Therefore, the results are strictly valid only for the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure.

1. Scope

1.1 This fire-test-response standard prescribes a method to assess the fire performance of a vertically oriented specimen exposed to direct flame impingement in a simulated external fire exposure potentially encountered in a Wildland Urban Interface scenario. This test method provides data suitable for comparing the performance of materials, which are used as the exposed surfaces of exterior walls in construction applications.

Note 1This test method closely follows the test procedure of California Office of State Marshal (SFM) Method 12-7A-1.

1.2 This test method measures the ability of the wall system to resist fire penetration from the exterior into the wall cavity or unexposed side of the test assembly under the conditions of exposure.

1.3 This test method provides data suitable for comparing the performance of vertically oriented materials, products or assemblies in exterior construction applications. The test specimen shall be tested in thicknesses and configurations representative of actual end product or system uses.

1.4 Limitations of the test method are listed in Section 5.5.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.6 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, by virtue by the use of hazardous materials, operations or equipment, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D2898 Practice for Accelerated Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood for Fire Testing

D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials

D4444 Test Method for Laboratory Standardization and Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters

D6662 Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards

D7032 Specification for Establishing Performance Ratings for Wood-Plastic Composite Deck Boards and Guardrail Systems (Guards or Handrails)

E176 Terminology of Fire Standards

E2257 Test Method for Room Fire Test of Wall and Ceiling Materials and Assemblies

Keywords

exterior wall covering; fire resistance; fire-test-response characteristic; siding; wall assembly;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.220.50 (Fire-resistance of building materials and elements); 91.060.10 (Walls. Partitions. Facades)

DOI: 10.1520/E2707-09

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM E2707